These 26 Port Authority employees each earned more than $125K in overtime

Most veteran police officers at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey earn about $90,000 a year in base pay. But, some officers pocket double -- or even triple -- that amount each year thanks to an abundance of overtime.

The overtime bill totaled $262 million, about $2.8 million over budget, according to a Port Authority report. Thanks to overtime pay, some rank-and-file Port Authority police officers took home more than $300,000 in total pay for the year -- more than the agency's executive director.

The overtime helped "ensure that our customers and staff traveled and operated in safe and secure facilities, and that the agency met federal mandates such as rail safety improvements, and addressed our dynamic security, operational and maintenance needs," a report detailing the costs said.

Here are the 26 Port Authority employees who earned the most in overtime in 2016, according to the agency's payroll records:

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(Star-Ledger file photos)

26) George Fortaleza, a detective in the Port Authority's criminal investigations bureau, earned $125,452 in overtime in addition to $105,663 in base pay last year, according to the agency's payroll records. Once longevity pay and other payments were included, the 17-year veteran's total pay for the year was $267,710.

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25) Michael Torrillo, a general maintenance supervisor in the Port Authority's rail transit division hired in 2014, earned $125,656 in overtime in addition to $104,038 in base pay last year, according to the agency's payroll records. Once longevity pay and other payments were included, his total pay for the year was $232,975.

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24) Juan Diaz, a Port Authority police sergeant, earned $126,026 in overtime in addition to $103,087 in base pay last year, according to the agency's payroll records. Once other payments were included, his total pay for the year was $256,432.

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23) Russell Polanco, a Port Authority police officer on the job for eight years, earned $128,066 in overtime in addition to $90,000 in base pay last year, according to the agency's payroll records. Once longevity pay and other payments were included, his total pay for the year was $244,281.